Guess who’s back? It’s our social media expert Triin, and she is ready to jump-start your restaurant with enough SO-ME tips to make your feed sizzle! Be sure to stick around for her top 3 social media tips for restaurants.
“Hey Triin, thanks for agreeing to another chat!”
Triin: Absolutely, always happy to share my know-how.
“So… Before we get to your top 3 tips, I want to pick your brain on a few hot topics…”
Triin: Go for it!
“Can you tell us a bit about reels…”
Triin: Social media algorithms constantly drive and change how reels perform. Right now, reels get heavy promotion, so you’ll likely see higher engagement compared to picture posts. To take advantage of this, post multiple reels a week
“Sounds like a lot of work.”
Triin: It doesn’t have to be. Restaurant owners or managers can involve their staff—why not post some reels during service?
“Great idea! What about tagging? What’s going on there?”
Triin: Tagging becomes important when guests tag YOU. This gives you a fantastic opportunity to gather free user-generated content and share it in your stories, greatly boosting your reach. For a new restaurant, this is crucial.
“Interesting stuff!”
Triin: I like to think so!
“Tell us a bit about hashtags…”
Triin: You used to be able to use as many hashtags as you wanted to boost your reach, but now the algorithm has changed. Creators should use only 2-5 hashtags per post. Additionally, most devices in the explore section only show top-performing posts with a hashtag, not the most recent ones (like “Copenhagen”). This makes it harder to stand out, especially with generic hashtags. Instead, focus on unique hashtags that current and potential guests can use to find you.
“This is really useful—any insights on gaining more followers, specifically for Instagram?”
Triin: I’ve seen restaurants create fun competitions, which help gain more followers. I also think it’s nice to open up a bit and share authentic content—behind-the-scenes from the kitchen, interviews with chefs, videos of how a certain dish is made, or how to create a perfect cappuccino, and so on. This type of content sets you apart from the vast majority and helps you gain more followers.
“Alright, I think it’s time…”
1. Keep your bio up-to-date
Triin: Review your bio to make sure it is clear and up to date. Your Instagram bio is where you can introduce yourself, provide contact details, and add your booking link.
2. Post more about people
Triin: Yes, we all love food, but the real attention-grabbers are known to be chefs, waiters, or even guests. So make sure that when you make a post about, for example, your new opening times, you don’t just add a picture of an empty restaurant. Take photos in the evenings when the restaurant is buzzing. A good emotion in the picture will also make it easier for you to create an engaging caption for the post (I’m speaking from experience!).
3. Experiment!
What works for a casual street-food chain might not work for a 3-star Michelin restaurant. By experimenting with different formats and text styles, you will get a better sense of who your audience is and what makes them engage. I would add here that social media is not the place to be overly formal. Use emojis and keep a friendly and welcoming tone 🥂😋
“Wow Triin—those tips are great; I’m sure our restaurant pros will be itching to put them to the test.”
Triin: It takes a bit of work, but once they have got it down, it’s easy.
“100%! And at DinnerBooking HQ, we’re always happy to lend some advice—so please get in touch if you have any questions. That’s all for now!”
Stay tuned for more interviews, news, guides, and more. If you missed Part 1 of Triin’s social media tips, you can catch up here.
